Sony announces Cyber-shot DSC-P2 digital camera! (UPDATED) By
Mike Tomkins
(Wednesday, May 29, 2002 - 01:00 EDT)
2.0 megapixel imager and 3x optical zoom lens get the picture in this new compact model...
A second announcement today from Sony, the Cyber-shot DSC-P2 is similar to the simultaneously announced DSC-P7, but in place of that model's 3.2 megapixel imager and 14-bit A/D converter, this one has a 2.0 megapixel version with a 12-bit A/D converter. Imager size is identical though, meaning that the 3x optical zoom lens has identical 35mm-equivalent focal lengths of 39 - 117mm. As with the P7, other features include 3-point autofocus, movie and "clip motion" functions, USB connectivity, Sony's long-life batteries and Memory Stick storage. Pricing and availability haven't been announced in the launch material we have; look for the official press release to follow shortly. Courtesy of Sony, you can find highlights and full specifications below: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P2 digital camera FEATURES - 1/2.7" 2.0 MegaPixel Effective Super HAD™ CCD, 2.1 MP Gross
Super HAD (Hole Accumulation Diode) CCDs provide excellent image quality by allowing more light to pass to each pixel, increasing sensitivity and reducing noise. - Ultra Compact Design
Slim and sleek, the DSC-P2 is small enough to fit most any pocket or purse. Even so, its optimized proportions and well placed controls make it easy to use. - 3X Optical/2X Digital/6X Total Zoom
3X Optical zoom helps you frame your shots for better digital pictures. And Sony’s Precision Digital zoom provides an additional 2X magnification without the jagged edges of other designs, resulting in smoother images. - 3 Area Multi-Point Auto Focus
By evaluating 3 separate focus areas of the frame, Sony’s Multi-point AF system can intelligently focus on the subject and avoid focusing on the background. - AF (Auto Focus) Illuminator
Briefly illuminating the subject in low- or no-light conditions, AF Illuminator helps establish a positive focus lock. - Multi-Pattern Measuring
Independently light-metering 49 points of the frame, Multi-Pattern measuring establishes the optimum exposure value, even in scenes where highlight and shadow are not centered in the frame. - Pre-Flash Metering
With a momentary pre-flash, the camera illuminates the subject and calculates exposure through the lens directly from the CCD. Adjustable flash level and redeye reduction insure great flash shots. - Memory Stick® Media
Digital. Powerful. Transportable. Memory Stick media is compact, portable and rugged—connecting a variety of hardware and software applications. - Scene Selection Mode
With 3 Scene Modes, camera parameters can be matched to the shooting conditions. Twilight slows the shutter to as long as 2 seconds for available light, Twilight Portrait adds flash to illuminate foreground subjects, and Landscape optimizes distant focus. - Slow Shutter Noise Reduction
During long Twilight mode exposures, Slow Shutter NR captures the scene, and then the CCD noise pattern with a dark frame exposure. By subtracting the two, even long exposures can be clear. - 12-Bit DXP A/D Conversion
Sony's 12-bit Digital EXtended Processor captures and shadow with up to 4096 values, for extended dynamic contrast and detail. - 1.5" LCD Monitor
Monitors the scene for accurate framing. 123K pixel and anti-glare coating help provide excellent viewing and image playback clarity, even outdoors. - Auto Bright Monitoring
To help framing in low- or no-light situations, CCD gain is briefly increased to provide an extra bright display on the LCD viewfinder just before exposure. - True Zoom Optical Viewfinder
Provides accurate framing at eye level, great for added stability and following fast moving subjects. - 2MP (1600 x 1200) Image Size
With its high resolution CCD, the DSC-P2 captures in 4 different image sizes, with selectable Fine or Standard JPEG compression. - Multi Burst Mode
Captures 16 320 x 240 frames as part of a single 1280 x 960 image which plays back sequentially in the camera. Selectable 1/7.5 or 1/15 or 1/30 second frame intervals provide convenient motion analysis. - MPEG Movie HQX Mode
Captures full frame playback, high frame rate (16 frames per second) audio/video clips with length limited only by the capacity of the media. MPEG Movie Video Mail and Presentation modes capture smaller sizes suitable for email. - Clip Motion Mode
Capture up to 10 images and convert them to an animated GIF with 2 frames per second playback. By varying the interval between shots you can create animations not possible with other motion capture modes. - Playback Zoom, Trim and Resize
During playback, magnify any portion of the image up to 5x and trim to the area of your interest. Then, save the new image as a new file in any of the image sizes available from the menu. - Rechargeable Infolithium® Battery
Provides reliable, long-lasting power for continuous shooting, and avoids the “memory effect” common to other batteries. AC-LS1 adapter/charger provides stable power for USB download. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P2 | | SPECIFICATIONS | Imager | 1/2.7" 2.0 MegaPixel Effective Super HAD™ CCD, 2.1 MP Gross | Recording Media | Memory Stick® Media | Zoom | 3X Optical/2X Digital/6X Total | Filter Diameter | N/A | Focal Length | 8 - 24mm | 35mm Equivalent | 39 - 117mm | Aperture | f2.8 - 5.6 | Focus | 3 Area Multi-Point AF, 5 Step Manual Preset | Minimum Focus Distance | 3.9" (10 cm) Macro Mode | Macro | Selectable | Shutter Speed | Auto, 1/30 – 1/2000 sec, Twilight 2 sec – 1/2000 | Manual Exposure | ±2.0 EV, 1/3 EV Steps | Color LCD | 1.5" 123K Pixels Low Temperature Polysilicon TFT | Flash Modes | Auto / Forced On / Forced Off, Red-Eye Reduction On / Off | Flash Effective Range | 1.3 – 12.5 ft (0.4 – 3.8m) | White Balance | Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent | Picture Effects | Black & White, Solarize, Sepia, Negative Art | ISO | Auto, 100, 200, 400 | Scene Modes | Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape | Self Timer | Yes, 10 seconds | Video Output | NTSC/PAL Selectable | Still Image Modes | JPEG (Fine), JPEG (Standard), Email | MPEG Movie Modes | MPEG HQX (320 x 240, 16 fps, Full Screen Playback) MPEG EX Presentation (320 x 240, 8 fps) MPEG EX Video Mail (160 x 112, 8 fps) | Clip Motion | Normal (160 x 120), Mobile (120 x 108) | Microphone/Speaker | Yes/Yes | USB Terminal | Yes | Supplied Software | Pixela® Image Mixer for Sony v1.0 USB Driver SPVD-008 | OS Compatibility | Microsoft® Windows® 98 / 98SE / Me / 2000 Professional / XP Home / Pro, Macintosh® OS 8.5.1 / 8.6 / 9.0 / 9.1 / 9.2 | Supplied Accessories | NP-FC10 InfoLithium® Rechargeable Battery, AC-LS1 AC Adapter / In-Camera Charger, A/V and USB cables, Wrist Strap, MSA-16A 16MB Memory Stick® Media; Software CD-ROM | Dimensions | 4 1/2" x 2" x 1 7/16" (114 x 51.5 x 35.8mm) | Weight | 7.5 oz (206g) (with Battery, Memory Stick Media, Strap) | ADDITIONAL FEATURES | MPEG1 Cue, Review and Divide | 5 Mode White Balance | 3:2 Aspect Ratio mode | Video Output (PAL/NTSC Selectable) | 4 Mode In-Camera Picture Effects | 5 Step Manual Preset Focus | OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES | LCS-CP2 Soft Carrying Case | LCM-PX Semi-Soft Carrying Case | NP-FC10 InfoLithium® Battery | ACC-CSP2 Starter Kit (LCS-CP2, NP-FC10, MSAC-A8) | BC-VC10 AC Dual Battery Quick Charger | MPK-P9 Marine Housing | MSA-16A, MSA-32A, MSA-64A, MSA-128A Memory Stick® Media | MSAC-HGA8 Memory Stick® Media Carrying Case | MSAC-PC2 Memory Stick® Media PC Card Adapter | MSAC-US1A Memory Stick® Media USB Adapter | MSAC-US5 Memory Stick® Media USB Adapter/Mouse | VCT-TK1 Miniature Tripod | VCT-R640 Tripod | HVL-FSL1 Slave Flash | . |
UPDATED 2002-05-29 02:36ET: Thanks to David Kamanski over at the Digital Eye website for letting us know that there's not going to be a press release on the wires for Sony's new announcements, as these are just extensions of existing camera lines. the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P2 will ship in July at a cost of about $400... Thanks again, David - now get to sleep! :) (We would if we could, but we're still battling through a flood of tonight's work - early AM NDA times, what fun!) ;)
UPDATED 2002-05-29 04:54ET: Our friends at Steve's Digicams have posted a full review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P2 digital camera, concluding: "The DSC-P2 is a good choice for anyone that wants a camera that can be easily carried in their pocket or purse and wants to just point and shoot. Its rugged alloy body and built in lens protector means that it will take a a fair amount of abuse and still function properly. We feel it will make a great camera for those going on vacation, just be sure to purchase a larger Memory Stick and a second battery."
Source:
Sony Electronics
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